I have had the best experience with a total encapsulation type constructed house. We built our last home that we plan to spend the rest of our lives in using this method of construction. It has been the best and most energy efficient home that I have ever lived in. It is a 2 story 2800 square foot home using a 3 ton HVAC with a variable speed air handler and a 4 zone damper controlled system. We have 3 zones on the lower part of the house and 1 zone up stairs. A totally encapsulated house is built like an ice chest with windows and doors, so it takes very little to heat and cool.

In Texas the TRCC had every builder get a registration number. With this number you were required to register every home you build through them. Each home was required to meet certain standards and codes required by the state no matter where the home was built. The state decided to abolish TRCC, which allows anyone who says they are a builder to be one. This is a major concern to me personally, for I have devoted my life to building the best homes possible that meet or exceed all local, state and national codes.

Pictures from the Zion Hill home, completed August 2009.

--Photography by Jake Belanger

I have suffered many frustrations trying to get interim financing for custom home buyers who want to build an energy efficient home and when building a spec home for sale. The bank will give the plans to an appraiser, that will look at the location, look at the plans and pull listings of comparable sized homes that have sold recently in that area. The problem is that they cannot put a resale price on monthly savings so they do not include any of the energy saving building practices in their appraisal.